RIX: I GOT A DRAW DEAL

HEARTS boss Graham Rix reckons the controversy surrounding his appointment cost his team top spot in the SPL

Rix is glad his first game as a boss in Scottish football is over after a battling 1-1 draw at Pittodrie.

The Jambos came from behind as Rudi Skacel's second half strike cancelled out a first half opener from Jamie Smith.

But the point was not enough to allow Hearts to re-join Celtic at the top of the table, with Gordon Strachan's side now two points clear of their closest rivals.

Rix feared an afternoon of abuse but apart from a few taunts Aberdeen fans concentrated on events on the field.

He said: "It's good to get the game out of the way. It looked as if everything that has gone off in the last 10 days affected the guys, especially in the first half.

"It was difficult to explain our first half performance because we were two yards off the pace all over the pitch.

"What pleased me was that I gave my players information to change it, they listened to what I said and responded."

Dons manager Jimmy Calderwood admitted he was glad Rix did not get the stick predicted before the match.

He said: "The supporters were looking at the game, rather than off the field. I don't know if it was high quality football, but it was certainly a battle and I'm pleased with the way we came through it.

"I said to Graham afterwards: 'Welcome to Scottish football.' It was a typically Scottish game, more like a cup tie."

Hearts midfielder Paul Hartley was sinner turned saint with home fans after he gave them a mouthful early in the second half for reacting to a tackle.

But all was forgiven later when he helped Zander Diamond off the field after the Dons defender injured his knee.

Hartley said: "They gave me a wee bit of stick and I had a go back, it was one of those things. But it was good of their fans to give me a clap for helping Zander."

Aberdeen scorer Smith said: "We didn't give them much in the first half and their equaliser was lucky, so we're disappointed not to win."

Meanwhile, the Dons are mourning after former midfielder John Craig collapsed and died suddenly following Saturday's Old Firm clash

Taken from the Daily Record